Google's silent retreat from fact-checking sparks backlash from publishers
Ms. Lindekamp, what exactly do you—or your organization—criticize about Google's apparently altered handling of metadata tagging, as recently reported by Meedia? What specific changes has Google made?
We did not decide to withdraw from ClaimReview over a single technical adjustment. The ClaimReview standard was tied to Google's promise to give fact-check articles greater visibility in global search results, thereby amplifying the reach of reliable content—without any financial compensation for the participating fact-checking organizations. Google has now discontinued this so-called "fact-checking snippet" while simultaneously scaling back the development of its supporting infrastructure.
What specifically frustrates you about this?
Google made this move without consulting the international fact-checking community or providing a transparent justification—at a time when our information ecosystem is increasingly under siege from disinformation campaigns. Our withdrawal from ClaimReview on International Fact-Checking Day should therefore also be seen as a critique of this approach.
From your perspective, how should we strike the right balance between automation and crowd-based methods versus expert assessment in modern fact-checking?
At Correctiv, we take a holistic approach to combating disinformation. This includes crowd-based initiatives, data-driven monitoring, and technical solutions, all integrated into our Correctiv.Faktenforum platform. The platform follows a clearly editorial logic, allowing us to combine these different methods without compromising our journalistic standards.
How can AI help?
We strategically use tools—including AI-based applications—to support specific steps in the fact-checking process. However, contextual analysis and evaluation remain core editorial tasks. Our investigations adhere to the "six-eyes principle," and all sources must be verifiable—this cannot be automated. At the same time, through Correctiv.Faktenforum, we are building the first German-language fact-checking community. This aligns with our vision of a "editorial society," creating opportunities for public participation in evidence-based debate.
What else do you hope to achieve?
A key aspect is the local perspective: With a growing Faktenforum community, we can expose disinformation at the regional level—particularly in "news deserts," where reliable local reporting no longer exists. Additionally, our participatory approach strengthens media literacy across society in the long term.
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